jury duty

summoned for jury duty
you put on your white shirt
and tie. blue, conservative
and safe. then go down
to plead your case. you feel
that everyone is guilty
of something, but they
haven't yet been caught.
you tell this to the judge
who you hope will free
you from your civic duty
and let you go back home.
instead he laughs, and puts
you in handcuffs.
take him and find out what
he know, he says to the
bailiff. spare no pain.
confession is good for
the soul, he says, then
hammers his gavel down.